Who to start · 2025-26
John Carlson vs Rickard Rakell
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, John Carlson projects to 2.10 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Rickard Rakell's 2.10.
Carlson had 60 points in 71 games; Rakell had 48 in 60 games.
This week Carlson has 1 game left; Rakell has 1 left. We project Carlson for 2.1 ESPN points to Rakell's 2.1.
John Carlson has the better number in 18 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Carlson's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 0.96, Penalty minutes 32, Faceoffs won 0.
Rakell's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 +0.42, Hits 71, Shorthanded points 2.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 4 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
John Carlson
2.10
fantasy points per game
Rickard Rakell
2.10
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, John Carlson has the edge.
| Points per game from | Carlson | Rakell |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.37 | 0.75 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.61 | 0.44 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.09 | 0.16 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.02 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.23 | 0.27 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.13 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.76 | 0.34 |
Per-game rates from the selected sample; blended mixes last season with this season, weighting this season more as games are played. Categories are scored as z-scores against qualified players at the same position. Your custom weights are saved in this browser only.
Head-to-head: Carlson vs Rakell
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2024-25: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Carlson 2G 13A, 49 SOG · Rakell 3G 9A, 55 SOG
Carlson blocked 4 of Rakell's shots; Rakell blocked 2 of Carlson's.
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Carlson | Rakell |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-02-22 | WSH 8–3 PIT | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2025-01-18 | WSH 4–1 PIT | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2024-11-08 | WSH 2–4 PIT | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2024-04-04 | WSH 1–4 PIT | 0G 0A 8S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-03-07 | WSH 6–0 PIT | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2024-01-02 | WSH 4–3 PIT | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 1A 3S |
| 2023-10-13 | WSH 0–4 PIT | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2023-03-25 | WSH 3–4 PIT | 0G 1A 7S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2022-04-09 | WSH 6–3 PIT | 0G 2A 4S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2021-12-06 | WSH 4–3 ANA | 1G 0A 5S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2019-12-06 | WSH 3–2 ANA | 0G 1A 5S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2019-11-18 | WSH 5–2 ANA | 0G 3A 0S | 0G 1A 4S |
Latest 12 of 16 meetings.
Every stat, side by side
Season values; bars are percentiles at each player's position (longer is better). Click a stat for its explainer.
Fantasy box score
Possession & shot quality (5-on-5 on-ice)
Transition, turnovers & faceoffs
Usage
Special teams & discipline
This week's schedule
Sep 28 to Oct 4. More games usually wins a weekly start/sit. Chips show how many fantasy points the opponent allows to the player's position (soft or tough), the Schedule Edge from rest and travel, and the likely opposing goalie with his save percentage. Projections use ESPN default points for the games left.
John Carlson
2games (1 left)
2.1proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NYR
- Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH2.1 pts
Rickard Rakell
2games (1 left)
2.1proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Wed, Sep 30 @ PHI
- Sat, Oct 3 vs MTL2.1 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start John Carlson or Rickard Rakell in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, John Carlson projects to 2.10 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Rickard Rakell's 2.10. Carlson had 60 points in 71 games; Rakell had 48 in 60 games. Check this week's games and your league's scoring in the fantasy panel above, since more games usually decide a weekly start.
- Who is better, John Carlson or Rickard Rakell?
- On 2025-26 numbers, John Carlson leads in 18 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Carlson and Rakell done against each other?
- In 16 games against each other in our data, Carlson's team went 9–7. Carlson had 15 points (2 goals) and Rakell had 12 (3 goals).
2025-26 regular season from NHL play-by-play, shift charts and NHL EDGE, processed by Edgehalla. Head-to-head covers every loaded season (play-by-play from 2019-20; on-ice matchups from 2025-26).Compare other players →